Education Resources
College Scholarships, Financial
Aid, Support, and Housing
2009-2010 College Scholarships
This
is an online list of available Scholarships for foster youth, disabled
youth, exceptional, and disadvantaged youth.
ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship
The ACLU is now accepting applications
for the 2010 ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship Program. The ACLU
is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures
and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and
liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee
to everyone in this country. In this year’s program, 15 high
school seniors will win a $7,000 scholarship towards their first
year in college. Scholarship recipients will also attend the "Youth
Activist Institute" at
the ACLU National office in New York City, where they will hone their
activism and leadership skills and learn about civil liberties directly
from the ACLU staff.
California Chafee Grant
Application for the Chafee Grant Program (or the Education and Training Voucher), which provides funds for foster youth attending colleges/universities, community colleges, or career/technical schools within the state of California.
California
College Pathways Project
The goal of the California College Pathways
Project is to increase the number of foster youth in California who
enter higher education and achieve an academic outcome by expanding
access to campus support programs, such as the Guardian Scholars
Program, the Renaissance Scholars Program and other successful approaches
to supporting former foster youth on campus.
Important
Tips for Applying to a California State University
Before applying
to a CSU school, please download the following document in PDF format: 
Cal Independent Scholars Network Program
The Cal Independent Scholars Network Program(CISN) is dedicated to providing support and resources to incoming freshman and transfer students who were formerly in foster care, or who are otherwise independent. Upon arrival at Cal, the CISN program provides residential starter kits, school supplies and mentorship by student, staff, faculty, or alumni mentors. Contact the CISN coordinator at dlowemartinez@berkeley.edu, 510.642.6151
Call Me MISTER National Initiative
The Call Me MISTER National Initiative helps to arrange free four-year college tuition for male African American high-school Seniors who would like to become teachers. Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities.
Casey Family Scholarship
for Graduate School
This is a $10,000 scholarship for students
enrolled full time in an accredited Master’s or Ph.D. program. Nine
scholarships will be granted. Winners will be announced via email
and on the website, www.orphan.org, in June 2010.
To apply:
• Complete
Part I of the application on line at www.orphan.org after January 1, 2010.
Applications
close March 31, 2010. You MUST indicate that you are applying for the
graduate
scholarship or your application will not be considered.
•
Complete Part II of the application (received via email after you submit Part
I on line)
and
mail it to the address on the application with a postmark date of no later than
March 31, 2010. Write GRADUATE APPLICATION in big letters on
the envelope or
your application will not be considered. If you have any questions,
please contact:
inar@orphan.org.
Cash for College
The City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City. Workforce Investment Board help L.A. families access higher education and career opportunities.
Chafee
Grants for California Foster Youth
Former foster youth in California and under
22 years of age may apply here for funding to help pay for college
fees or fees for attending career and technical training.
Click for further California Student
Aid Commission opportunities in PDF format: 
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Change of Life Foundation Scholarship
If you are a former foster youth with at least a 2.75 high school
GPA and enrolling in a 4-year university (either straight from high
school or transferring from a community college), you may qualify
for a scholarship of up to $5,000. The scholarship funds, if awarded,
are provided to the college or university. The
deadline is March 18, 2010. Please call Mikelle Meyer at (949) 788-9999, if you would
like additional information.
Download Scholarship Guidelines in
PDF format here: 
College Assistance Migrant Program Scholarship
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) is a 100% federally-funded
grant available only during your college freshman year. You must
be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident, be obtaining
your GED or high school diploma, and be seeking a four-year academic
degree to be eligible.
You and/or your family must been migrant or seasonal farm workers
doing agricultural activities directly related to the production
of crops, dairy products, poultry or livestock; the cultivation or
harvesting of trees; or fish farms at least 75 days during the past
24 months. Additionally, you can only apply this scholarship at one
of the (38) existing colleges that have this federal grant. Participants
of the Migrant Education Program (MEP) and the Workforce Investment
Act (WIA) are encouraged to apply.
Please visit the sponsor's
website for additional information, including
a list of the eligible colleges.
College Scholarships
for Students from Foster Care
Casey Family Programs and The Orphan Foundation of American
are pleased to announce that applications are now available for
the 2010-2011 academic year (www.orphan.org). The Casey Family
Scholars Program will award approximately 75 new scholarships for
undergraduate study and career/technical training at accredited
institutions and programs. A limited number of graduate school
scholarships will also be awarded. Scholarships include support
services. Applicants of color are encouraged to apply.
The online application closes at midnight March 31, 2010.
Download
more information in PDF format here: 
Community Colleges with Dormitories
2008 list of Los Angeles area Community Colleges that have dormitories on campus or nearby.
CSUN
"Free" Scholarship for DCFS Youth
CSUN (California State University at Northridge)
is offering a full "free" scholarship
to any DCFS youth (in/out of system) who intends to pursue a major
in the Performing Arts or Humanities. Please call Jacquelin Jaffe
at (661) 702-6280 for more information.
DFW
International Guide to Scholarships
for New Americans and Minorities
DFW International is the portal to international North Texas, a region in which
40% of the residents are New Americans of first or second generation. It is a
network of over 1,600 North Texas internationally-focused civic, community and
educational organizations that embodies the cultural and economic vibrancy of
the global community whose mission is to promote and link North Texas ethnic
and New American groups, empowering them as respected members of the community
and providing forums through which to share their cultural heritages. This guide
lists many scholarships available both in Texas and throughout the country that
are specially targeted at new citizens and minority students.
Download the guide in PDF format here: 
Free Application for Federal Student Aid for Adopted Teens
Voice for Adoption description of the new federal law allowing teens to be adopted without losing financial aid.
Federal
Aid for Youth without Stable Housing (Tips)
Click this link for tips on filling out
your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). These
tips are especially aimed at youth who are interested in attending
college and will be applying for financial aid, but don't have
stable housing.
Federal
Aid for Youth without Stable Housing (Update)
There are new questions on the
FAFSA pertaining to your foster care or homelessness status.
Here is information about how to answer them to make sure you
maximize the amount of financial aid you will receive for college.
The Latina Leadership Network of the California
Community Colleges
The
Latina Leadership Network of the California Community Colleges (LLN)
will be awarding ten (10) student scholarships of $500 to Latina
students currently attending California Community Colleges. LLN Scholarship
recipients will be honored at the 23rd Annual Latina Leadership Network
Conference in Visalia, CA on March 11-13, 2010. We strongly encourage
LLN Scholarship recipients to attend the conference, but it is not
required.
Michael
E. and Trish Curry Scholarship
Fund
This is a Scholarship Award for Trinity University students. The intent is to provide students with the tools to become creative thinkers, engaged citizens and visionary leaders. The scholarship award is unrestricted, with a preference given to students who are products of the foster care system, with a first choice from California, second choice from Texas and third choice from the rest of the country. Award amounts vary and are determined by the Trinity University Board of Trustees.
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Financial
Aid Resource Guide
Everything you need to know about paying for
college: a thorough list of scholarships, financial aid options,
and important deadlines to help keep you on track. Updated in 2008.
Fastweb
Scholarship search site that helps link
you to scholarships most right for you.
Fostering
a Future—Scholarship for Youth Adopted Out of Foster Care
The Children's Action Network and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption have
partnered to create a national scholarship program, sponsored by Capital One,
to provide children
who were adopted from foster care with the opportunity to pursue their educational
goals. The fund provides parents considering the adoption of an older
child an opportunity for education assistance by adding this special
scholarship to existing post-adoption resources. Applicants must
have been adopted from the United States foster care system after the age of
13, be graduating high school seniors, demonstrate financial need, and maintain
or improve qualifying grade point average throughout applicant’s
senior year.
Applications will be accepted until April 20, 2010. If you have
any questions, or would like more information, please don’t
hesitate to e-mail Children’s
Action Network at Caninformation@aol.com or
call 800.525.6789.
Download
an application in PDF format here: 
Foster Youth Success Initiative
Connect with staff on
community college campuses that can help succeed. The FYSI have access
to a wide variety of campus supports and can help you
navigate the campus.
Download
the FYSI
Director in PDF format here: 
Free
Application to Federal Student Aid
Student aid from the U.S. Department of
Education. In many cases, this form needs to be completed in order
to receive other types of grants. Application deadline for receiving
the highest priority status is March 2 (students who meet this
deadline usually qualify for the most financial aid).
Gates
Millennium Scholarship Program
Application for the Gates Millennium Scholars
program and information on other scholarships available.
Grants
for Individuals
List of undergraduate and graduate grants
available to persons belonging to various constituents groups,
including African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, American
Indian and other ethnic groups; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
individuals; those with physical disabilities, special needs, or
developmental delays; veterans; women; and non-traditional students.
Guardian
Scholars
Information on a support program for foster
youth planning on attending Cal State Fullerton University. If accepted,
scholarships are provided. Application details available. Students
can call and make direct contact by calling 323-953-4000
ext.2345 or by emailing: guardianscholars@lacitycollege.edu.
Hopes & Hurdles:
California Foster Youth and College Financial Aid
This report examines why surprisingly few California foster youth who
apply for student aid receive all the grants they should, and some
recommendations to address the situation.
Download
the an report in PDF format here: 
The
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund has a number
of different scholarships available. These are with different
foundations and corporations and the deadlines vary. Some of
them also target African American, American Indian/Alaska Native,
Asian Pacific Islander American, in addition to Hispanic American
students.
ILPOnline
Information on college scholarships specifically
for foster and probation youth. Look for the Celebration I, Celebration
II, and Success is Our Future events that give scholarships to participants
(the application process is usually between January and March of
each year, for graduating high school seniors only).
Incight
Scholarship
Students can earn $750 for college if you
are in college have a documented disability (physical, cognitive,
learning, etc.). Applicants must attend college or a trade school
full-time to qualify, and must submit an application form along with
a letter of recommendation. For more information, please visit: www.incight.org or
call (760) 674-2473.
Download
an application form in PDF format here: 
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John Burton Scholars Backpack to School Program
The John Burton Scholars Backpack to School Program helps to provide California youth in foster care that are enrolled in college with the equipment and supplies necessary to be prepared for school and to achieve academic success.
Kennedy Center Accessibility
TipSheet:
Scholarship and Financial
Aid Resources
Compiled from many sources by the Accessibility
Program at the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., this list contains many scholarships
available to disabled youth.
Download
the list in pdf format here:
LA’s Cash for College
Scholarship information and help with filling
out financial aid forms.
Los
Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program
If you’re a current or former foster youth, between the
ages of 16 – 24, and looking to attend LACC, then contact
this program! They will help you with academic advisement, financial
aid, housing, employment services, mentoring, tutoring, personal
guidance and counseling, or any other type of support you might
need. Call (323) 953-4011.
Download
further information in pdf format here: 
The Michigan Foster Education Resource Network
The Michigan Foster Education Resource Network is a nonprofit organization staffed by foster youth and student volunteers, is offering three scholarships for foster youth currently enrolled in post-secondary education.
To be eligible, the youth must:
- be currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a college, university, or vocational training program;
- have spent at least six consecutive months in foster care prior to their 18th birthday;
- and submit an application and at least one reference by November 31
Minority
Scholarships
A large amount of scholarship money
that has been set aside by companies for deserving African
American and other minority students is either collecting dust
of or being returned to businesses because the public has not
been made sufficiently aware of their existence.
Click to down
a list of these scholarships and associated Web addresses 
Orphan Foundation of America
Scholarships available specifically for foster youth.
Providing Effective Financial Aid Assistance to
Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
This excerpt from the California
Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Foster Youth Success
Initiative (FYSI) Manual: A Guide for Financial Aid Administrators includes
information on securing financial aid for students in postsecondary
education or training programs and describes how to respond to new
FAFSA questions 55-60 that will determine your federal financial
aid status.
Download
a copy of this excerpt in PDF format here: 
QuestBridge National College Match
The National College Match connects high-achieving low-income
students with admission and full scholarships to 27 partner colleges.
Approximately 1,000 QuestBridge applicants enroll at these colleges
every year, with financial aid worth over $100 million.
Find
more information
about the 2010 program here: 
Renaissance Scholars
Launched in 2002, Cal Poly Pomona's Renaissance Scholars is an
academic support program located in the Division of Student
Affairs that empowers former foster youth through higher education. The
2010-2011 program is filled. When applications become available
for 2011-2012, we will post that information here.
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Rockefeller Brothers Fund
This fund provides fellowships to support outstanding undergraduate students who wish to pursue master's degrees in education while teaching in public elementary or secondary schools. Full-time undergraduate students of color, in their junior year of study in the arts and sciences, are eligible to apply through their 27 participating colleges and universities. Deadline: Dec. 31 annually.
Download
further information in PDF format here:
SCholars Program
The USC Scholars Program is presently
recruiting students. They’re looking for high achievers
who are interested in transferring to USC or any research institution.
Criteria for program
• Student has completed
at least one semester (preferably one year) of courses
• Students maintains full-time
enrollment
• Student has minimal Ws
on academic record
• Student’s course
selection fulfills IGETC Requirements or is enrolled in transferable courses.
Applications are always available in the University Center. The application deadline is in May of each year.
Contact: Paulina P. Palomino
Counselor
East
Los Angeles College
1301
Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey
Park, CA 91754
(323)
265-8977
Sin
Barreras Foundation
If you are a graduating high school senior of Hispanic origin looking to attend
college in the Fall, this scholarship may be for you! You must have a cumulative
high school GPA of 2.8 or higher in order to qualify, and legal status information
is not required. The next scholarship will be awarded in 2010.
Syracuse
University Architectural Scholarships for African Americans
Syracuse University has scholarships for African American
Men and Women Interested in Studying Architecture. Mark
Robbins, Dean of Syracuse University's School of Architecture
is seeking young men and women of color interested
in pursuing a five year professional degree in Architecture.
He says he's deeply committed to bringing diversity to his
field and has scholarship money set aside to fully cover
education costs for up to 10 students.
Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean, School of Architecture
(315) 443-2256
School of Architecture
Syracuse
University
TeenNow
California Scholarship for Expectant or Parenting Teens
TeenNow California (formerly the California
Alliance Concerned with School Age Parenting and Pregnancy
Prevention) has been awarding scholarships since 1985. A $300
Regional Scholarship Award will be given to a senior in each
TeenNow region. These recipients will then compete for
a STATE Scholarship of an additional $500. Male and female
high school graduating seniors who are expectant or parenting,
who are attending a high school within the state of
California and who are planning to pursue further education
or training after high school may apply before April 10, 2010.
Download
complete information and application in PDF format here: 
United
Friends of the Children College Sponsorship Program
UFC is seeking referrals of high school seniors eligible for $15,000
college sponsorships. Selected students receive $3,000 a year for
up to five years for college-related expenses, as well as ongoing
support through college graduation.
Eligibility
· Los Angeles
County foster or probation suitable placement youth currently in
12th grade.
Students should
be ILP eligible and/or in legal guardianship including Kin-GAP. Students
should
be living in Los Angeles or a neighboring county.
· Seniors with a cumulative 2.8 GPA or above (as
of January 2010) who will be enrolled
in a four-year
college or university in Fall 2010.
· Students who are committed to fulfilling their
educational goals.
For more information or to submit a referral, please contact: Lizeth
Hernandez at 213.580.1857 or lizeth@unitedfriends.org. Applications
are due in January.
Download
sponsorship application form flyer in PDF format here: 
University of California Foster Youth Resources
Resources for foster youth on University
of California campuses
Download
further information in PDF format here: 
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